The District Dynamos is a network of community driven oversight groups currently focusing on DC's public library system.
King Memorial Library
Photo by Rob Goodspeed |
The neglect of the DC's library system over decades has led to a serious erosion of the physical plant and library services offered to the residents of Washington, DC.
In recent years, the DC Public Library (DCPL) system has been uplifted by the DC City Council and Mayor with an increase in funding for capital projects at the central King Memorial Library and the surrounding neighborhood branch libraries. The new funding has been directed at fixing immediate repairs at the central library and conducting more comprehensive library transformations among several branch libraries.
Currently, the Chief Librarian and Board of Library Trustees (BoLT) are directly overseeing capital library projects with subsequent oversight by city leadership who have given them the funding, DC's City Council and Mayor.
Given how important library projects are to the vitality of any neighborhood, there has been disappointment among community leaders and residents where library projects are occurring -- there are expectations of more thorough consultation with the public about how the new infusion of much needed library funding is spent.
DC residents have to be more vocal
to see a bigger oversight role materialize... and the District
Dynamos seek to involve District residents in the transformation of our library
system in a more meaningful and proactive way.
Like Frederick Douglass explained one-hundred and fifty years
ago,
"Power concedes nothing
without a demand."
LATEST INFO
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DC Public Library News Wire
- Neighborhood Library Dynamos
Neighborhood library dynamos forming to protect the public interest in the DC Public library.
- Developing and Sustaining a System of Adult Literacy for the District of Columbia
The Mayor’s Adult Literacy Council envisions an effective and successful adult literacy system whose ultimate goal, as part of a high quality education system, is to eliminate illiteracy in the District of Columbia. This system is based on credible data and high standards that are comprehensive, coherent, and responsive to all learners’ needs —contributing to the District of Columbia’s distinction as a world-class city. With this stated vision and goal, the Mayor’s Adult Literacy Council submits this report.
- Issues
Information, opinion, and links about issues facing libraries gathered by Library Renaissance Project in consideration of the transformation and renewal of the DC Public Library.
- Library Renaissance Press Releases
Archive of the LRP press releases.
- Library Renaissance Reports
Reports about the DC Public Library system from the perspective of the Library Renaissance Project.
- The Ward One Tree of Concern is Growing
Neighbors across Ward One are deeply concerned about the poor design process and planning for the expansion of the Mount Pleasant Library.
- Washington Highlands Library Project Survey
Please take a few moments to send your feedback about the proposed library designs.
- Contact the Library Renaissance Project
- Community Rejects New Ward 8 Library Design
DC Public Library officials faced near unanimous opposition last night from Ward 8 community leaders and residents who objected to the design for a new library to replace the existing Washington Highlands branch.